New Forest paths...: Circumstances dictated... - Bridge to 10K

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New Forest paths...

Granspeed profile image
GranspeedGraduate10
14 Replies

Circumstances dictated yesterday that it was an early afternoon run or nothing. Really? In this heat? Hmmm. But OH was off to watch Hampshire play cricket and the next few days didn’t offer much in the way of Running Opportunity either, so needs must be creative.

Under the Forest trees, I thought. So off in the car to a regular walking area. Major crowds! I wasn’t the only Shade Seeker on the planet!

But I was there, and there was a tiny parking place....

First thing I learned was that the steep downhill on a gravel track was too scary for me - 😱 - so it became my first Jeffing experience. Then the lovely little path pictured above showed up, and I was lured away from gravel & crowds, even though I had no idea where it went. I imagined Oldfloss leading me onwards in a Ramble, and it was lovely. 👍😄🏃🏼‍♀️ (🐢)

Eventually I found another, this time empty, gravel path and guessed “left” and trotted on. Ooops, steep uphill coming. More Jeffing I guess. And then another luring little path.... And the headroom gradually got less & less, until I wished I had JaoJao’s short legs instead of my long ones. Walk a bit and push on through...

And -pop - out onto a good surface and, hey presto, a known place. 😄👍

Back along the track and subside into the car with all the windows open to catch the breeze. Now, WHY did it not occur to me to bring water??? 🤔 Duh! Another lesson learned.

But I loved my Ramble. Not all that long in distance or time, but a good red face to prove I’d been making an effort, and oddly, quite a good pace for a turtle. Maybe this Jeffing thing is worth trying again.

And hats off and cheers to all of you doing Events on this hot Bank Holiday weekend! Don’t know how you do it, but well done indeed. Happy Running everyone.

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Granspeed profile image
Granspeed
Graduate10
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14 Replies
Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate10

Ooh that sounds like a lovely run, the kind I love meandering here and going off track there and all amongst cooling trees. Gorgeous!

But Granspeed, in this heat you need to take water with you everywhere you go..... just saying 😛

Granspeed profile image
GranspeedGraduate10 in reply toIrishprincess

Yep. Learned that yesterday. At the very least, have it in the car. 😊👍

Couchpotato2 profile image
Couchpotato2

Sounds fun! I'm very impressed that you found your way back quite so easily! Well done you

Granspeed profile image
GranspeedGraduate10 in reply toCouchpotato2

Turned out it wasn’t that far, just lots of twisty paths amongst the trees, and no sense of direction in the brain! Think I was lucky this time. 🤣

SaskAlliecat profile image
SaskAlliecatGraduate10

What a fun run! I love the picture. It looks like a perfect place for a ramble 😻

Granspeed profile image
GranspeedGraduate10 in reply toSaskAlliecat

Felt really different to my usual haunts in open farmland & tiny lanes on the edge of the National Park. Must do it more, in spite of various domestic complications (we all have ‘em 🤣).

GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoGraduate10

Delightful! Isn't it silly when we think we're the only one to think of something and arrive to find the place packed!? 🙈🤣 I've done that several times myself!

Granspeed profile image
GranspeedGraduate10 in reply toGoGo_JoJo

🤣👏🏼 Glad to know I’m not alone. 😊

grumpyoldgirl profile image
grumpyoldgirl

Yay granspeed, that's my sort of run! Except I probably wouldn't have popped out somewhere I knew 😁 It is amazing that even when the car parks are mobbed, you don't have to wander far to get some peace and quiet.

RunRunRun13 profile image
RunRunRun13Graduate10

That looks like a lovely run - can I ask whereabouts in New Forest, was planning to take my dog there tomorrow. Looking for shaded areas 🌳

Granspeed profile image
GranspeedGraduate10 in reply toRunRunRun13

Wilverly Enclosure. I think that’s the name of the car park I used as well. Or there’s one called Wilverly Plain car park that backs onto the Enclosure. There are lots of good wooded areas around though, if that one isn’t near you.

RunRunRun13 profile image
RunRunRun13Graduate10 in reply toGranspeed

Thanks so much, off to Google it !

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10

What a lovely place to run to escape the sun Granspeed. I think it might be a little busier on 8th September. 😂🌳🏃‍♀️🌳🌲🌳🏃‍♂️🌳🏃‍♀️🌳🌲🏃‍♀️🌲🐿🐖🐎🐂

Granspeed profile image
GranspeedGraduate10 in reply toDexy5

🤣🤣🤣 Just a bit! Don’t think they’ll send you all down that particular little path!

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